After watching last nights game between Auburn and Florida State and most all the "talking heads" giving Auburn no chance to win, I think that Auburn could have easily won the game just like Florida State did. Both teams made some crucial mistakes to allow the other team to get the lead and unfortunately for Auburn they allowed that long kickoff return and to me that's what killed them at the end.

My question about Florida State is this; If Florida State had to play in the SEC week in and week out, there is no way they would have went undefeated and the injuries that they would have had to endure would have surely cost them a couple of key players before the year was over. Playing mostly lightweights during their regular season they did not take the pounding that an SEC Schedule brings to our teams week in and week out. What does everyone else think would have happen if Florida State would have had to run the gauntlet of the SEC for most of the season?

Beano Cook

01-07-2014 05:22 PM

Re: Florida State

I think the patsy schedule FSU played had them totally unprepared for the speed and intensity of Auburn.Once they settled in and got use to the speed of the game, then their superior overall talent took over.

I think had FSU played a much tougher schedule they would have had more injuries,but barring something like what Georgia or Florida underwent,the tougher opponents would have made them a better team.

Goofyboy

01-07-2014 05:25 PM

Re: Florida State

I think it is somewhat of a wash. Fla State was a great team this year. They were talked about as a team of the century, which was unrealistic. They, and other good ACC, Big 10, and PAC 12 teams get ranked higher than they should based on playing weak schedules. They get an inflated view of how good they are. It leaves them more vulnerable to getting beaten when they play a really good team. Remember Dabo saying that Clem would beat Fla State five out of ten games? That was based on his inflated view and tendency to overspeak. There is some ranking benefit to those weak-schedule teams, but some of it gets washed out in the end.

robgusc76

01-07-2014 05:36 PM

Re: Florida State

That fake punt changed the entire game.

Beano Cook

01-07-2014 05:42 PM

Re: Florida State

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgusc76
(Post 4051458)

That fake punt changed the entire game.

Agreed.It kept FSU in the game and gave them momentum heading into halftime.

For Auburn to have won then needed to have almost a mistake free game and the errors in the kicking game plus some misses on pass plays they had open were what ultimately did them in.

dreammachine

01-08-2014 01:32 AM

Re: Florida State

No doubt that Florida State would have been a force to deal with even if they had been in the SEC with all the talent that they have. I guess in my opinion that if they had to play the SEC Schedule each week and get hammered even when you win, it does take a toll on you and your teammates. That's why I think if Winston had gotten hurt would FSU be the same team. Look at Georgia before the team got all the injuries, they were a hand full for anybody to beat and should have beaten Auburn with the banged up team that played them that day that Auburn got the gift from heaven on the Hail Mary Pass. It does take it's toll on every SEC Team to play the schedule that we play. Give Florida State the credit that they deserve as they proved on the field that they were the best team and they might have been the best team even if they played in the SEC, but I would have liked to see them run the gauntlet against great defenses week in and week out and not with the cup cake schedule that they played in the ACC. Once again, I will state that Florida State looked like the best team in the country with all the talent that they have on that team and they proved it by beating an Auburn Team that came out of nowhere to be in the National Championship Game. Auburn had one heck of a season and they deserve to be highly ranked, but several other SEC teams with a little luck could have easily been there in their place. This could not have happened in the ACC as Florida State, Duke, and yes even Clem&Son were better on there worst days than the other teams in the ACC on their best days. What do you think our record would have been in the ACC this year. The worst it would have been would have us at 11-1, if we had to play FSU and even then I like our chances against them.

:spurrier::spurrier::spurrier:

MisterClowney

01-08-2014 01:36 AM

Re: Florida State

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreammachine
(Post 4051431)

My question about Florida State is this; If Florida State had to play in the SEC week in and week out, there is no way they would have went undefeated and the injuries that they would have had to endure would have surely cost them a couple of key players before the year was over.

That is more of a statement rather than a question.

dreammachine

01-08-2014 02:23 AM

Re: Florida State

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterClowney
(Post 4051949)

That is more of a statement rather than a question.

Well, give it your best shot and please forgive me if I confused you. Did you not read the whole statement as I did ask what everyone thought would have happened to FSU if they had to run the gauntlet of the SEC.

Roosterboy

01-08-2014 12:45 PM

Re: Florida State

A valid point.
FSU really didn't play anyone outside of Clemson (if you look at rankings) and blew their doors off.

Auburn though had to fight against Georgia, LSU, Alabama, TAMU..along with bowl winners Ole Miss, Miss State and Mizzou.

Even Washington State and Arkansas State were bowl teams. Their only gimmes may have been Western Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Arkansas and Tennessee.

No question, Auburn had the tougher schedule...but FSU just had more talent.

Cockypantherfan

01-08-2014 01:05 PM

Re: Florida State

FSU is a very talented team and has some great coaches. If you don't believe they would be able to compete week in and week out with SEC teams then you need to take your blinders off.

Lonnie

01-08-2014 01:24 PM

Re: Florida State

FSU Strength of Schedule Rank 2013 62. 2nd easiest in the ACC.

Sure they survived vs Auburn Monday night, but odds are someone pips them if they played a full SEC schedule.

uscbrasco

01-08-2014 02:48 PM

Re: Florida State

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnie
(Post 4052289)

FSU Strength of Schedule Rank 2013 62. 2nd easiest in the ACC.

Sure they survived vs Auburn Monday night, but odds are someone pips them if they played a full SEC schedule.

This.

I dont want to take away anything away from the talent and coaching FSU has, BUT they schedule was soft. They are a great team PERIOD. I do not think they make it through a whole season in SEC or PAC10 undefeated however.

G&B

01-08-2014 03:07 PM

Re: Florida State

The only good team they played they had to win on a last second squeaker and they (fsu) were highly favored. I think that pretty much supports all the arguments that they were over hyped. They were only able to blow out weak teams. ha ha suck it clemson

JT21

01-08-2014 03:23 PM

Re: Florida State

Don't put too much stock into any game when the two teams had over a month off before hand. It's almost like a new season, which has positives and negatives (my one major criticism of the bowls/CFB postseason).

On topic, FSU is easily good enough to have gone undefeated if they'd gotten a favorable schedule. Give them Mizzou or SC's SEC schedules this season and I'd say more likely than not. But they likely walk away from Mississippi St or Arkansas's schedule with at least one loss, I would think.

johnmcclane

01-08-2014 03:33 PM

Re: Florida State

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cockypantherfan
(Post 4052276)

FSU is a very talented team and has some great coaches. If you don't believe they would be able to compete week in and week out with SEC teams then you need to take your blinders off.

this!

b381l

01-08-2014 09:23 PM

Re: Florida State

FSU had 11 players drafted last year. But as someone already posted, their schedule was so easy, it didn't challenge them. Would they have gone through an SEC schedule undefeated, maybe. But they would have had to earn it instead of just dancing their way through it.